Dr. Roderick O. Thompson

Dr. Roderick O’Hara Thompson, 61, passed away in Raleigh, NC, on Sunday, August 15, 2021. Roderick was born in Peach County, Georgia to Raphael and Melba Thompson on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1960. Because of that, he was given the middle name of “O’Hara.” Roderick grew up in Durham, NC, where he attended Jordan High School. After graduation, he left to attend the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology. During his summers, he worked to develop the Space Shuttle at Rocketdyne Industries, and after his graduation from MIT, he moved to San Francisco to work for the Bechtel Corporation. After a few years, Roderick decided to attend the UNC School Of Medicine. After medical school, he returned to California for his medical residency and to begin his practice. For the next 30 years he worked at many hospitals around the country. He lived and worked in Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota, Virginia, and finally, North Carolina again. Some of his more well known patients were Aretha Franklin and Ja Rule’s father. Roderick was a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Roderick was preceded in death by his father, Raphael Thompson, Sr. and by an aunt, Barbara Ebron, who lived with him in his youth. Roderick is survived by his husband, Jose Ortega, a daughter, Gina Thompson, his mother, Melba Thompson, a sister, Roslyn Thompson, a brother, Raphael Thompson, Jr. (Tim Walther), his aunts, Linda Fullwood, Deborah Tuck, Kathy Tuck, and Chanda Garfield (Dean), his foster nephew, Curtis Roberson, and a host of cherished cousins and treasured friends from around the world. The family wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy that we have received and are continuing to receive. For those wanting to send money, checks for “Gina Thompson” (Roderick’s daughter), mail to the following address: Gina Thompson 1714 Alfred Street Durham, NC 27713 Thank You A public viewing will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., at Scarborough & Hargett Celebration of Life Center, Inc., 309 N Queen Street, Durham, NC 27701. A graveside service of celebration to honor the life of Dr. Roderick O. Thompson will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 12:00 noon, at Beechwood Cemetery, 3300 Fayetteville Street, Durham, North Carolina, 27707, with viewing thirty minutes prior. To view the Celebration of Life Service for Dr. Roderick O. Thompson through Zoom Live Stream: Please click the link below to join the webinar, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86177431225? Webinar ID: 861 7743 1225 Passcode: 568061 Please keep this family in your thoughts and in your prayers.

Dr. Roderick O. Thompson

March 17, 1960 - August 15, 2021